Infusion pump system and method

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may be configured to wirelessly communicate with other devices using near field communication (NFC). In particular embodiments, by incorporating near field communication capabilities into the infusion pump system, user communications with the infusion pump system can be enhanced and simplified.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to an infusion pump system, such as a portableinfusion pump system for dispensing a medicine.

BACKGROUND

Pump devices are commonly used to deliver one or more fluids to atargeted individual. For example, a medical infusion pump device may beused to deliver a medicine to a patient as part of a medical treatment.The medicine that is delivered by the infusion pump device can depend onthe condition of the patient and the desired treatment plan. Forexample, infusion pump devices have been used to deliver insulin to thevasculature of diabetes patients so as to regulate blood-glucose levels.

Users of infusion pump devices often need to communicate with theinfusion pump via a user interface to control the operations of theinfusion pump in a safe and effective manner. For example, a user maypress a series of buttons on the user interface to enter food intakedata into the infusion pump, such as a number of grams of carbohydratesthat is indicative of a recently or soon-to-be consumed meal. The foodintake data can be combined by the infusion pump system with otherparameters to calculate a suggested bolus dosage of insulin based on thegrams of carbohydrates entered by the user. In another example, a usermay enter information into the infusion pump system via a user interfacethat indicates that the user is going to perform a level of physicalexercise. In some circumstances, the infusion pump system may reduce theamount of a planned dispensation of insulin in response to the exerciseinformation entered by the user.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may be configured to sendand receive data communications using near field communication (“NFC”)technology. By incorporating NFC technology within the infusion pumpsystem, user communications with the pump system can be enhanced andsimplified. For example, NFC can facilitate the convenient sharing ofuser commands or other data to an infusion pump system a NFC that isequipped with NFC functionality. In some embodiments, pre-programmed NFCcommunicator devices (“NFC tags”) can be used to transfer data from theNFC tag to the infusion pump system via a simple hand motion or the likeby the user of the infusion pump system. The data that is transferredmay cause the infusion pump system to execute particular operations asdefined by the data or in correspondence to the data. For example, a NFCtag can be configured to communicate a set of user input commands to aninfusion pump system (e.g., user input commands that might otherwise beinput via a series of menu selections and data entry steps on the userinterface of the pump system) so as to rapidly indicate to the pumpsystem that particular amount of food or carbohydrates will be consumedfor a meal. In some embodiments, data can be written from the infusionpump system to a NFC tag. For example, a back-up copy of user settingsthat are used to configure an infusion pump system for a particular usermay be downloaded using NFC from the infusion pump system and saved ontoa NFC tag. In particular embodiments, the infusion pump system can beequipped with one or more accelerometers that can be used to activatethe potential for NFC communications to take place when an accelerationat or above the threshold level is detected.

In particular embodiments, a medical infusion pump system may include aportable pump housing that defines a space to receive a medicine. Theinfusion pump system may include a pump drive system to dispensemedicine from the portable housing when the medicine is received in thespace. The infusion pump system may further include control circuitrythat communicates control signals to the pump drive system to controldispensation of the medicine from the portable housing when the medicineis received in the space. Optionally, the infusion pump system may alsoinclude a near field communication (NFC) circuit electrically connectedwith the control circuitry to communicate infusion pump task data to thecontrol circuitry. The NFC circuit can be configured to wirelesslyreceive the infusion pump task data from a NFC communicator device whenthe NFC circuit and NFC communicator device are positioned with in a NFCproximity range.

In some implementations, the system may optionally include the NFCcommunicator device that is separate from the pump housing. For example,the NFC communicator device can be a near field communication tagstoring the infusion pump task data. The infusion pump task data maycomprise a unique identifier that identifies the near fieldcommunication tag, and in response to receiving the unique identifier,the control circuitry may execute user interface operations thatcorrespond to the unique identifier. Optionally, the user interfaceoperations may comprise user interface settings for calculating asuggested bolus dispensation of the medicine. In another option, theinfusion pump system may further include an accelerometer electricallyconnected to the control circuitry, wherein the accelerometer may beconfigured to detect acceleration movement of the portable housing andto communicate the detected movement to the control circuitry. In afurther option, the control circuitry is configured to compare acharacteristic value of the detected movement to a threshold movementvalue. The control circuitry may be configured to activate near fieldcommunication with the NFC communicator device based on the comparisonof the characteristic value to the threshold movement value. Optionally,the control circuitry may be housed in a controller housing that isremovably attachable to the portable housing.

In some implementations described herein, the system may optionallyinclude a remote control device that is separate from the pump housing.The remote control device can be configured to wirelessly communicatewith a wireless communication device connected to the control circuitry(for example, a wireless communication device that is different from theaforementioned the NFC circuit). Optionally, the remote control devicemay further include a second NFC circuit that is configured towirelessly receive the infusion pump task data from the NFC communicatordevice when the second NFC circuit and NFC communicator device arepositioned within the NFC proximity range. In some cases, the NFCproximity range has a maximum working distance of less than 12 inches.The infusion pump task data may be indicative of a value ofcarbohydrates of a food item.

In particular embodiments, a medical infusion pump system may include apump device and a controller device. The pump device may include a pumphousing that defines a space to receive a medicine, and a drive systempositioned in the pump housing to dispense the medicine from the pumpdevice when the medicine is received in the space of the pump housing.Optionally, the controller device may be removably attachable to thepump device. For example, the controller device may be removablyattachable to the pump housing so as to electrically connect with thepump device. The controller device may house control circuitryconfigured to communicate control signals to the drive system positionedin the pump housing to control dispensation of the medicine from thepump device. The controller device may also house a NFC circuitelectrically connected with the control circuitry to communicateinfusion pump task data to the control circuitry. Optionally, the NFCcircuit is configured to wirelessly receive the infusion pump task datafrom a NFC communicator device when the NFC circuit and NFC communicatordevice are positioned with in a NFC proximity range.

In some implementations, the system may further comprise the NFCcommunicator device that is separate from the pump device and thecontroller device. For example, the NFC communicator device may be anear field communication tag storing the infusion pump task data.Optionally, the infusion pump task data may comprise a unique identifierthat identifies the near field communication tag, and in response toreceiving the unique identifier, the control circuitry may execute userinterface operations that correspond to the unique identifier. In oneexample, the user interface operations may comprise user interfacesettings for calculating a bolus dispensation of the medicine.Optionally, the system may further include at least one accelerometerelectrically connected to the control circuitry. The accelerometer maybe configured to detect acceleration movement of the portable pumphousing and to communicate the detected movement to the controlcircuitry. The control circuitry may be configured to compare acharacteristic value of the detected movement to a threshold movementvalue. The control circuitry may be configured to activate near fieldcommunication with the NFC communicator device based on the comparisonof the characteristic value to the threshold movement value.

In various implementations of the system, the pump device may optionallybe a one-time-use device equipped with one or more structures configuredto prevent reuse of the pump device. Also, in some implementations, thecontroller device may optionally be a reusable controller device. Forexample, the controller device may include one or more of: a controllerhousing that is removably attachable to the pump housing in a fixedrelationship; one or more electrical contacts disposed on the controllerhousing, the electrical contacts of the controller device beingengageable with corresponding electrical contacts of the pump devicewhen removably attached.

Additionally, particular embodiments described herein may include amethod of controlling a portable infusion pump system. The method mayinclude receiving input via near field communication (NFC) from a NFCtag storing data indicative of a task associated with using the portableinfusion pump system. The method may optionally include controlling theportable infusion pump system to change an operation of the portableinfusion pump system in based upon the data the input from the NFC tag.In some implementations, the method may further comprise prompting auser via a user interface display to confirm the operation change of theportable infusion pump system in response to receiving the input fromthe NFC tag. For example, the operation change to be confirmed via theuser interface may include calculating or initiating a bolusdispensation of a medicine from the portable infusion pump system.

Some or all of the embodiments described herein may provide one or moreof the following advantages. First, some embodiments of the infusionpump system may be configured to send and receive data communicationsusing NFC technology. Second, some embodiments of an infusion pumpsystem equipped with NFC technology may facilitate convenient user inputof information to the infusion pump system. Third, the safety andefficacy of an infusion pump system may be enhanced because the rapidmanner of inputting data to the infusion pump using NFC may facilitatemore timely and complete data entry by the user. Fourth, in somecircumstances, some users who may not be mentally or physically able toreliably operate a conventional user interface of an infusion pumpsystem may be able to reliably input data to an infusion pump systemusing NFC communication interface. Fifth, the infusion pump systemequipped with NFC equipment may be configured to be portable, wearable,and (in some circumstances) concealable. For example, a user canconveniently wear the infusion pump system on the user's skin underclothing or can carry the pump system in the user's pocket (or otherportable location) while receiving the medicine dispensed from the pumpdevice.

It should be understood from the description herein that the term “NFC”(as used herein) or “NFC” capability (as used herein) is different fromtraditional radio frequency identification (“RFID”). For example, NFC isa more specific version of wireless communication that can be configuredfor one-way or two-way communications and that operates at a maximumrange of less than about 12 inches, about 8 inches or less, andpreferably about 4 inches or less (e.g., unlike the much greatercommunication range of the traditional RFID technology that extends formany feet or more).

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infusion pump system with NFCcapabilities in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts an assortment of example NFC tags that can be used withthe infusion pump systems described herein.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing a process of using an infusion pumpsystem equipped with NFC capabilities in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an infusion pump system with NFCcapabilities in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another infusion pump systemwith NFC capabilities in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another infusion pump system with NFCcapabilities in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another infusion pump system with NFCcapabilities in accordance with some embodiments.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an infusion pump system 10 can include a portablepump 60 used to supply insulin or another medication to a user via, forexample, an infusion set 70. In some embodiments, the portable pump 60includes a user interface 62 comprised of input devices such as buttons63 a, 63 b, 64 a, 64 b, 64 c and output devices such as display 65. Atleast a portion of the user interface 62 is coupled to a pump housingstructure 66 of the portable pump 60, which houses the control circuitryfor the portable pump 60. In particular embodiments, the portable pump60 may further include a NFC circuit 40 that facilitates short-rangewireless communications between the internal control circuitry of theportable pump 60 and an external device such as a NFC tag 45.

NFC can be used, for example, to rapidly input user commands or otherdata into the portable pump 60, thereby at least partially reducing theneed to actuate the buttons 63 a-63 b, 64 a-64 c or other components ofthe user interface 62. As explained further herein, the data input tothe portable pump 60 via NFC may cause the portable pump 60 to executeparticular actions, such as automatically calculating an amount of arecommended bolus delivery of insulin (or another medication) andprompting the user with an option to confirm and initiate such a bolusdelivery. By incorporating NFC equipment within the infusion pump system10, user communications with the portable pump 60 can be enhanced andsimplified. As a result, the accuracy and completeness of the dataentered by the user into the portable pump 60 can be improved, and theuser can experience greater convenience and time efficiency. Optionally,the portable pump 60 can further include an accelerometer 50 arranged inthe pump housing structure 66. In some embodiments, the accelerometer 50can be used to activate the NFC communications when an acceleration ator above the threshold level is detected, as explained further below.

The infusion pump system 10 is configured to controllably dispense amedicine to be infused into the tissue or vasculature of a targetedindividual, such as a human or animal patient. In some embodiments, theportable pump 60 includes the housing structure 66 that defines a cavityin which a fluid cartridge (not shown) can be received. For example, thefluid cartridge can be a carpule that is either user-fillable or ispreloaded with insulin or another medicine for use in the treatment ofDiabetes (e.g., Byetta®, Symlin®, or others). Such a cartridge may besupplied, for example, by Eli Lilly and Co. of Indianapolis, Ind. Otherexamples of medicines that can be contained in the fluid cartridgeinclude: pain relief drugs, hormone therapy, blood pressure treatments,anti-emetics, osteoporosis treatments, or other injectable medicines.The fluid cartridge may have other configurations. For example, in someembodiments the fluid cartridge may comprise a reservoir that isintegral with the pump housing structure 66 (e.g., the fluid cartridgecan be defined by one or more walls of the pump housing structure 66that surround a plunger to define a reservoir in which the medicine isinjected or otherwise received).

The portable pump 60 includes a cap device 68 to retain the fluidcartridge in the cavity of the housing structure 66 and, optionally, topenetrate a septum of the fluid cartridge for purposes of establishingfluid communication with the infusion set 70. The portable pump 60includes a drive system (one example is described in more detail belowin connection with FIG. 5) that advances a plunger in the fluidcartridge so as to dispense fluid therefrom. In some embodiments, thedispensed fluid exits the fluid cartridge, passes through a flexibletube 72 of the infusion set 70 to a cannula housing 74 retained to theuser's skin 20 by a skin adhesive patch 78. The dispensed fluid canenter through the skin 20 via a cannula 76 attached to the underside ofthe cannula housing 74.

In some embodiments, the infusion pump system 10 can be configured tosupply scheduled basal dosages of insulin (or another medication) alongwith user-selected bolus dosages. The basal delivery rate can beselected to maintain a user's blood glucose level in a targeted rangeduring normal activity when the user is not consuming food items. Theuser-selected bolus deliveries may provide substantially larger amountsof insulin in particular circumstances in which the user's blood glucoselevel requires a significant correction. In some embodiments, theinfusion pump system 10 can suggest a bolus dosage to the user in amanner that accounts for the user's food intake, the user's recent bloodglucose level (e.g., input into the portable pump 60 by the user, froman integral blood test strip analyzer, transmitted to the portable pump60 from an external blood glucose monitoring device, or the like), therate of change in the user's blood glucose level, and previouslydelivered insulin that has not acted on the user. For example, a usercan enter a carbohydrate value indicative of a meal into the portablepump 60, and in response thereto, the portable pump 60 can output asuggested bolus dosage to the user.

In some embodiments, the infusion pump system 10 may modify a bolusdelivery (e.g., a bolus delivery after the user consumes a meal) inresponse to certain circumstances. For example, the infusion pump system10 may decrease or otherwise modify a post-meal bolus delivery based ona rapidly falling blood glucose level, a current blood glucose levelthat is below a threshold limit, based on an increased level of physicalactivity, or the like.

The infusion pump system 10 can be configured to be portable and can bewearable and concealable. For example, a user can conveniently wear theinfusion pump system 10 on the user's skin (e.g., using skin adhesive)underneath the user's clothing or carry the portable pump 60 in theuser's pocket (or other portable location) while receiving the medicinedispensed from the infusion pump system 10. As such, the pump system 10can be used to deliver medicine to the tissues or vasculature of theuser in a portable, concealable, and discrete manner.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the portable pump 60 includes the userinterface 62 that permits a user to monitor and control the operation ofthe infusion pump system 10. In some embodiments, the user interface 62includes a display 65 and the user-selectable buttons (e.g., fivebuttons 63 a, 63 b, 64 a, 64 b, and 64 c in this embodiment) that are inelectrical communication with the control circuitry of the portable pump60. For example, the display 65 may be used to communicate a number ofstatus indicators, alarms, settings, and/or menu options for theinfusion pump system 10. In some embodiments, the user may press one ormore of the buttons 63 a, 63 b, 64 a, 64 b, and 64 c to shuffle througha number of menus or program screens that show particular statusindicators, settings, and/or data (e.g., review data that shows themedicine dispensing rate, the amount of medicine delivered during thelast bolus, the delivery time of the last bolus, the total amount ofmedicine dispensed in a given time period, the amount of medicinescheduled to be dispensed at a particular time or date, the approximateamount of medicine remaining in the cartridge, or the like).

In some embodiments, the user can adjust the settings or otherwiseprogram the portable pump 60 by pressing one or more buttons 63 a, 63 b,64 a, 64 b, and 64 c of the user interface 62. For example, inembodiments of the infusion pump system 10 configured to dispenseinsulin, the user may press one or more of the buttons 63 a, 63 b, 64 a,64 b, and 64 c to change the dispensation rate of insulin or to requestthat a bolus of insulin be dispensed immediately, at a scheduled latertime, over a period of time, or following a particular time-basedprofile. In another example, the user may use the buttons 63 a, 63 b, 64a, 64 b, and 64 c to manually input information such as the user'scurrent blood glucose level (e.g., as measured by an external bloodglucose meter), the current rate of change in the user's blood glucoselevel, or the like into the portable pump 60.

In some embodiments, the NFC circuit 40 is housed in the portable pump60 to provide an additional functionality that can enhance and simplifyuser interactions with the portable pump 60. For instance, using NFC,the need for user activation of multiple buttons 63 a, 63 b, 64 a, 64 b,and 64 c for shuffling through menus may be eliminated or otherwisereduced in some circumstances. In one example depicted in FIG. 1, theuser of infusion pump system 10 has consumed, or will soon consume, apiece of pie that is estimated to include about 60 grams ofcarbohydrates. As such, the user desires to initiate a correspondingbolus dispensation of insulin to counteract the effects of the intake of60 grams of carbohydrates. The bolus dispensation of insulin may beintended to cause the user's blood glucose level to remain within atarget range.

To initiate the desired bolus dispensation, the user can first positionthe portable pump 60 containing the NFC circuit 40 in close proximitywith the NFC tag 45 (e.g., preferably within a range 4 inches or less,including for example, a physical “bump” with the NFC tag 45). Wirelessnear field communications can thereby be established between the NFCcircuit 40 and the NFC tag 45 (as signified by wireless communicationsymbol 47). In some embodiments, the user is provided with anotification that near field communications have been established. Thenotification can be visual, audible, tactile (vibratory), or acombination thereof. In response to the communication between the NFCtag 45 and the portable pump 60, the portable pump 60 provides a promptto the user on the display 65. The prompt on the display 65 requests theuser to confirm that the user desires to receive a 4.0 unit dispensationof insulin related to the intake of 60 grams of carbohydrates. Toconfirm and initiate the dispensation of the suggested bolus amount, theuser can simply press button 64 c to select “Enter.” By this example, itcan be appreciated that the incorporation of NFC equipment in theinfusion pump system 10 can enhance and simplify user interactions withthe infusion pump system 10, because in order to initiate appropriatesuggested bolus dosage of insulin, the user simply bumped the NFC tag 45with the pump housing 66 and then pressed a single acknowledgementbutton in response to the prompt on the display 65. As will be describedfurther, in some embodiments other techniques for user confirmation oracknowledgement can be used, and in some instances user confirmation oracknowledgement may be optional.

NFC provides short-range wireless communication. As described herein,the maximum working distance for NFC is less than 12 inches, about 8inches or less, and about 4 inches or less in the aforementionedembodiment depicted in FIG. 1. NFC allows sharing of relatively smallpackets of data between a NFC tag and a device equipped with NFCfunctionality. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, each NFC tag canstore about a kilobyte of data or less, although NFC tags that store agreater quantity of data can also be used in the embodiments describedherein. The NFC tags can be configured with a shape that is small andlightweight (e.g., a maximum dimension of about 1 inch or less),particular because the NFC tags described the embodiment of FIG. 1 donot have an integral power source such as a battery. Instead, a coil inthe NFC tag inductively receives magnetic field energy that is emittedfrom a coil in NFC circuit housed in the portable infusion pump 66.Accordingly, energy and data can be wirelessly transmitted between thecoils of the NCF tag and the device with NFC functionality. The wirelessNFC data transmission can be a two-way wireless communication. That is,data can be transmitted from the NFC tag to the NFC circuit of the pump60, and data can be transmitted to the NFC tag from the NFC circuit ofthe pump 60. In other words, the NFC circuit of the pump 60 can bothread from and write to a NFC tag. The data stored in the NFC tag can bewritten in a variety of formats. One example format is called the NFCData Exchange Format (“NDEF”).

Referring again to FIG. 1, when the NFC tag 45 communicates with the NFCcircuit 40, the resulting data exchange can trigger one or moreautomated actions by control circuitry housed in the portable pump 60.The particular actions are at least in part defined by particularcomputer program script that is initiated in response to thecommunications between the NFC tag 45 and NFC circuit 40. In somearrangements, the particular computer program script is stored on theNFC tag. In such arrangements, when the communications between the NFCtag 45 and NFC circuit 40 are established, the particular computerprogram script is transferred from the NFC tag 45 to the controlcircuitry of the portable pump 60 via the NFC circuit 40. The controlcircuitry then executes the particular computer program script and cancause the portable pump 60 to automatically perform an action or actionsin accordance with the script.

In alternative arrangements, the particular computer program script tobe executed in correspondence to the NFC tag 45 can be stored within theinternal control circuitry of the portable pump 60. In sucharrangements, the NFC tag 45 can transfer a unique identifier such as aserial number to the NFC circuit 40. Upon receipt of the uniqueidentifier, the portable pump 60 can execute the particular computerprogram script that corresponds to the identifier. In some embodiments,a combination of both arrangements can be used. In any case, from thedescription herein it can be appreciated that a particular NCF tag(e.g., NFC tag 45) can be used to automatically trigger a correspondingparticular action or change in operation of the portable pump 60. Assuch, a variety of NFC tags can be conveniently used with an infusionpump system 10 so as to enhance and simplify user interactions with theinfusion pump system 10 in regard to a variety of scenarios and userdesires.

In some embodiments, an accelerometer 50 can be optionally positioned inthe portable pump 60 and connected to the control circuitry inside thehousing structure 66. In particular embodiments, more than oneaccelerometer 50 can be included in the housing structure 66. Theaccelerometer 50 can operate in conjunction with control circuitry andthe NFC circuit 40 to supplement the criteria for activatingcommunications between the NFC circuit 40 and the NFC tag 45. In otherwords, while in some embodiments communications between the NFC circuit40 and the NFC tag 45 are activated based merely on the proximitytherebetween, in other embodiments a threshold movement of the housingstructure 66 (as detected by the accelerometer 50) is used (at least asa factor) in activating the NFC circuit 40 for communication with thenearby NFC tag 45. For example, in some embodiments the accelerometer 50can serve to require that the user “bump” or otherwise tap the portablepump 60 onto the NFC tag 45 or another object before the NFC circuit 40is activated. An objective for including this feature can be to moreclearly ascertain that the user desires to activate NFC when the NFC tag45 is within the required proximity with the NFC circuit 40. That is, byrequiring the user to tap the portable pump 60 onto the NFC tag 45, theuser's intentions for activating NFC can be confirmed with a greaterlevel of confidence.

In some embodiments, this optional feature of using the accelerometer 50in conjunction with the NFC circuit 40 can function as follows. When amovement is detected by accelerometer 50, the characteristics of themovement can be compared by the control circuitry to a predeterminedthreshold value (e.g., a threshold movement indicative of theaforementioned “bump” or tap movement). If the detected movement isgreater than or equal to the threshold value, the NFC circuit 40 canpotentially be activated. But, if no movement that is greater than orequal to the threshold value is detected, the NFC circuit 40 is notactivated (even if the NFC circuit 40 is within the required proximityof the NFC tag 45 such that NFC communications can potentially beperformed). Therefore, in some embodiments this feature operates toenable NFC when the following two conditions are simultaneously met, orare both met within an establish time interval: (i) an acceleration oran acceleration profile that is greater than or equal to a thresholdvalue is detected (indicating, e.g., a tap or other “bump” actionbetween the portable pump 60 and the NFC tag 45), and (ii) the NFCcircuit 40 is in proximity with the NFC tag 45 such that communicationstherebetween using NFC can occur. In some embodiments, the featureprovided by the accelerometer 50 can be activated or deactivated basedon a user's or clinician's selection of the feature via theconfiguration parameters of the portable pump 60. In some embodiments,the accelerometer 50 can be used in conjunction with the NFC circuit 40in other ways so as to include the detection of a movement into theprocess for activating or completing changes to the portable pump 60that correspond to the NFC tag 45.

In some embodiments, the portable pump 60 can be configured to responddifferently when the acceleration threshold value is detected by theaccelerometer 50 as compared to when the acceleration threshold value isnot detected. For example, as described previously, in response to thedetection of the NFC tag 45 by the NFC circuit 40 the user may be askedto confirm via the user interface 62 whether to initiate a change to theportable pump 60, such as initiating a bolus of insulin. However, if anacceleration that meets or exceeds the established threshold is detectedby accelerometer 50, and the NFC tag 45 is simultaneously detected (ordetected within a threshold time limit) by the NFC circuit 40, in somecases the portable pump 60 may initiate a bolus without requiringadditional user confirmation. Still, in some cases additional userconfirmation may nevertheless be required before the bolus is initiated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a set of example NFC tags 46 can be employedfor communicating with the portable pump 60 as need by the user of theinfusion pump system 10. For example, some or all of the set of NFC tags46 can be selected to correspond with the user's commonly performedtasks associated with using the infusion pump system 10. The NFC tags 46can be distinctly labeled with text, numbers, graphics, colors,textures, braille, photos, symbols, icons, and the like (andcombinations thereof) to assist the user to properly and convenientlydistinguish between the various types of NFC tags 46. In someembodiments, the NFC tags 46 can have different physical sizes andshapes, and such sizes and shapes can correspond to an amount ofcarbohydrates associated with the NFC tags 46. In particularembodiments, an assortment of multiple NFC tags 46 can be included on asheet of flexible plastic film or paper, in a pocket-sized book, on akey ring, in a container, and in many other convenient storage andhandling configurations.

In one example, a parent may pack a lunch for a diabetic child to taketo school, and one or more NFC tags 46 corresponding to the particularlunch food can be packed along with the lunch. Or, the NFC tags 46 canbe carried by the child (e.g., in a pocket, worn on a necklace orarticle of clothing). At the school lunchroom, the child can simply tapthe child's infusion pump to the NFC tags 46 in order to command thepump to deliver an appropriate bolus dispensation of insulin incorrespondence to the food consumed. Thus, as this example shows, usingthe NFC tags 46 the user can efficiently, accurately, and convenientlyinitiate commands to the infusion pump system 10 by activating NFCcommunications between the infusion pump system 10 and the NFC tags 46(and, optionally, without the need to input a series of menu selectionsor other more complex user interface actions). In addition, as will bedescribed further, particular NFC tags 46 can be used to receive andstore data from the infusion pump system 10.

Some people often eat the same types of foods on a relatively regularbasis. A user of the infusion pump system 10 can therefore obtain ormake NFC tags that correspond to the food items that the user commonlyconsumes. For example, the NFC tag 46 a (FIG. 2) for a peanut butter andjelly sandwich could be readily used by a user that regularly consumessuch sandwich. As described previously, NFC tag 46 a can have associatedwith it (either on the NFC tag 46 a, or in the control circuitry of theportable pump 60 in association with a unique identifier of the NFC tag46 a) data such as the grams of carbohydrates of the food represented bythe NFC tag 46 a. In addition to the grams of carbohydrates, the user'spreferred way to deliver a corresponding bolus can be included in thedata associated with the NFC tag 46 a. For example, the preferreddelivery schedule of insulin for the user to counteract the consumptionof a peanut butter and jelly sandwich may be 40% of the bolus insulinamount delivered immediately and 60% spread over the next three hours.Of course, a different user may have a different preferred deliveryschedule that can be used in correspondence with NFC tags used by thedifferent user. For another type of food item, the preferred deliveryschedule of insulin for the user may be other than 40% immediately and60% spread over the next three hours. For example, for a piece of pie,as represented by the NFC tag 45, the preferred delivery schedule ofinsulin for the user may be 50% immediately and 50% spread over the nexttwo hours. As such, the data associated with NFC tag 45 can include thecorresponding preferred delivery schedule of insulin of 50% immediatelyand 50% spread over the next two hours.

Still further, other data, in addition to grams of carbohydrates andpreferred insulin delivery schedules, can be associated with the NFCtags 46. For example, in some embodiments the fat content, type of fatcontent, fiber content, protein content, and the like, of the foodrepresented by the NFC tags 46 can be associated with the NFC tags. Insome embodiments, such data can be incorporated into a recommendedinsulin dispensation for the user as calculated by the control circuitryof the portable pump 60. For example, in some instances meals withincreased fat can lead to delayed absorption of the carbohydrates, andthus a bolus determined based on other food contents beyond justcarbohydrates, (e.g., fat and protein) may be beneficial.

While a user of the infusion pump system 10 may consume certain foodslike a peanut butter and jelly sandwich fairly regularly, in somecircumstances the user may consume a food item for which the user doesnot have a dedicated NFC tag 46. In those circumstances, NFC tags 46 b,46 c, 46 d, and 46 e can be used if the user so desires. To use the NFCtags 46 b, 46 c, 46 d, and 46 e, the user will estimate the carbohydratecontent of the foods that the user has or will soon consume. If, forexample, the user will consume food having a carbohydrate content ofabout 10 grams, the user can activate NFC between the portable pump 60and the NFC tag 46 b (where the NFC tag 46 b corresponds to 10 grams ofcarbohydrates). In response, the portable pump 60 may determine arecommended bolus of insulin and either initiate the dispensation of thebolus or prompt the user to confirm via the user interface 62 theinitiation of the recommended bolus of insulin. The NFC tags 46 c, 46 d,and 46 e can be similarly used in situations where about 20, 50, or 100grams of carbohydrates, respectively, have been or will soon beconsumed. Of course, the carbohydrate quantities of 10, 20, 50, and 100grams associated with NFC tags 46 b, 46 c, 46 d, and 46 e are merelyillustrative, as NFC tags 46 having any other quantities ofcarbohydrates (and other data content) can be created and used inaccordance with the systems and methods provided herein.

In another example that is relevant to the use of NFC tags 46 b, 46 c,46 d, and 46 e, it may be determined that the user has or will consumefood having a carbohydrate content of about 30 grams. In a first examplefor handling such a scenario, in some embodiments the portable pump 60can be configured to add together successive NFC tag data entries toinput the total carbohydrate quantity desired by the user. For example,to input 30 grams of carbohydrates, the user may first activate NFCbetween the portable pump 60 and the NFC tag 46 b to input 10 grams ofcarbohydrates. Before confirming a bolus dispensation corresponding tothe 10 grams, the user can then activate NFC between the portable pump60 and the NFC tag 46 c to input an additional 20 grams ofcarbohydrates, for 30 total grams of carbohydrates. In other words, theportable pump 60 can add the first NFC input of 10 grams ofcarbohydrates and the second NFC input of 20 grams of carbohydratestogether to arrive at a total of 30 grams of carbohydrates. The portablepump 60 can then present to the user via the display 65 a prompt thatasks the user to confirm the input of 30 grams of carbohydrates to beconsumed, and to confirm the acceptance of the associated recommendedbolus dispensation of insulin. For example, in the example portable pump60 provided, the user can confirm the acceptance of such information byactivating the button 64 c. In other examples, other techniques forconfirming acceptance can be used, as described further herein.

While the first example immediately above used NFC tags 46 b and 46 c toenter a total of 30 grams of carbohydrates into portable pump 60, in asecond example technique for entering 30 grams of carbohydrates, thesingle NFC tag 46 b (10 grams of carbohydrates) can be used to activateNCF circuit 40 three times to cause three successive data entries of 10grams of carbohydrates each. The three successive data entries of 10grams of carbohydrates each can be added together by portable pump 60 inthe manner described above, resulting in a total entry of 30 grams ofcarbohydrates. The user can then confirm the entry of 30 grams andaccept the recommended bolus using the user interface 62. By way ofthese examples, it should be appreciated that by combining successivedata entries using various NFC tags 46, such as NFC tags 46 b, 46 c, 46d, and 46 e, any desired amount of grams of carbohydrates can be enteredinto portable pump 60 using NFC technology. While in these examples theportable pump 60 was configured to add together successive NFC dataentries, in some embodiments the portable pump 60 can alternatively beconfigured to not add such successive entries together. In someembodiments, the user (or another individual such as a parent orclinician) can selectively configure the portable pump 60 to either addsuccessive entries together or to not add successive entries together.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, NFC tags 46 f, 46 g, 46 h, 46 i, and46 j are examples of NFC tags that can be conveniently used to enter anestimated quantity of carbohydrates (and optionally other nutritionaland operational data) in correspondence to an amount of food consumed,or soon to be consumed, by the user. In general, the NFC tags 46 f, 46g, 46 h, 46 i, and 46 j can be used as an alternative to countingcarbohydrates and entering into the portable pump 60 (via the userinterface 62 or via the NFC tags 46 b, 46 c, 46 d, and 46 e) thenumerical carbohydrate intake quantity to be consumed (e.g., 10, 20, or30 grams, etc.). As shown, the NFC tags 46 f, 46 g, 46 h, 46 i, and 46 jcan be graduated in relation to an approximate amount of food consumed(e.g., “snack,” “small meal,” medium meal,” “large meal,” and“extra-large meal”). Such approximations may be appropriate for use bysome infusion pump system 10 users or in some situations of using theinfusion pump system 10. Accordingly, when the user presents the NFC tag46 f (corresponding to a “snack”) to portable pump 60 to activate NFCbetween the NFC tag 46 f and the portable pump 60, a lesser quantity ofcarbohydrates will be input to portable pump 60 in comparison to whenthe user presents the NFC tag 46 i (“large meal”) to the portable pump60. Of course, the NFC tags 46 f, 46 g, 46 h, 46 i, and 46 j can beconfigured to correspond to different levels of carbohydrates fordifferent users. For example, a “large meal” for a male may typicallyinclude a greater quantity of carbohydrates than a “large meal” for afemale. Therefore, in one example a male user of portable pump 60 mayconfigure (program) NFC tag 46 i to correspond to 200 grams ofcarbohydrates, while a female user may configure NFC tag 46 i tocorrespond to 150 grams of carbohydrates. It should be appreciated thequantity of carbohydrates (and other such data) associated with the NFCtags 46 f, 46 g, 46 h, 46 i, and 46 j can be individualized for theparticular user of the infusion pump system 10.

NFC tag 46 k is an example of a NFC tag that includes an iconicidentifier on a surface of the NFC tag 46 k. In this example, an icon ofa hamburger is printed on the NFC tag 46 k. Using icons, symbols, andother types of non-text identifiers can be advantageous for some users.For example, certain users of the NFC tags 46 may not have fluency inthe language printed on the NFC tags 46. Or, a user of the NFC tags 46may be illiterate, a child, or have poor eyesight. In another example,the NFC tags 46 can include Braille or other raised patterns or shapesfor use by blind users or users with limited vision.

NFC tags 46 m and 46 n are examples of NFC tags that correspond to anexercise activity to be performed by the user of the infusion pumpsystem 10. Diabetic individuals typically experience a blood sugarreduction in response to the performance of exercise. Therefore, tomaintain the user's blood sugar level within a target range it can bebeneficial to temporarily reduce the user's basal rate to an extent thatcorrelates to the level of physical exertion performed or to beperformed. When reducing basal insulin, the appropriate extent ofreduction will depend on factors such as intensity, duration, theindividual, and mode of exercise. A basal rate can be reduced prior to,during, and after exercise depending on the situation. For example, inresponse to performing light exercise over a 30 minute period, the usermay present NFC tag 46 m to the user's portable pump 60. The NFC tag 46m, for example, may be associated with a command for a 50% reduction ofthe basal insulin dosages over the next 6 hours. In another example, inresponse to performing 30 minutes of strenuous exercise, the user maypresent NFC tag 46 n to the user's portable pump 60. The NFC tag 46 nmay, for example, be associated with a command for a 50% reduction ofbasal insulin over the next 10 hours. Such factors can be individualizedfor the particular user, and the particular user's NFC tags 46 m and 46n can be programmed accordingly. In some embodiments, the NFC tags 46 mand 46 n can be used in combinations to additively arrive at otherlevels of exertion or duration in a manner analogous to that describedabove in reference to NFC tags 46 b-e.

NFC tags 46 o, 46 p, 46 q, and 46 r are examples of NFC tags that can beused to automate the entry and time-based archival of event occurrencesinto the portable pump 60. In other words, the NFC tags 46 o-46 r can beused to add descriptive information to the data that is stored withinthe portable pump 60. Such labeling of data is also known as datatagging or the creation of metadata. For example, if the user is feelingill, the user can present the NFC tag 46 o to the user's portable pump60. Upon the activation of NFC between the NFC tag 46 o and the NFCcircuit 40, a command is executed that causes the portable pump 60 tostore metadata identifying that the user feels ill at the time that theNFC was activated. In other examples, when the user is exercising,eating, or has installed a new medicine cartridge, the user can presentthe NFC tags 46 p, 46 q, or 46 r, respectively, to the user's portablepump 60. Upon the activation of NFC between the NFC tags 46 p, 46 q, or46 r and the NFC circuit 40, a command is executed that causes theportable pump 60 to store metadata identifying that the user isexercising, eating, or has installed a new medicine cartridge at thattime. In another example (not shown in FIG. 2), a NFC tag can be used toindicate when the user has changed the infusion site on the user's body.Accordingly, the presentation of such a NFC tag to the user's portablepump 60 will cause metadata to be stored that identifies that the userchanged infusion sites about at the time that NFC was activated betweenthe NFC tag and the NFC circuit 40.

NFC tags 46 can also be used to automatically enter other types ofcommands to the portable pump 60. NFC tags 46 can thereby reduce theneed for using buttons 63 a-b and 64 a-c of the user interface 62 toshuffle through various menus. One example of a type of command that canbe automated is the entry of a blood glucose reading using a NFC tag 46s. For example, the user may periodically measure the user's bloodglucose level using a blood glucose meter that analyzes a sample of theuser's blood using a test strip. The numerical results provided by sucha test can then be entered into the user's portable pump 60 to providethe portable pump 60 with the user's actual current blood glucose level.The NFC tag 46 s can be used to “key-up” the portable pump 60 for theentry of the numeric blood glucose level. For example, when the userpresents the NFC tag 46 s to the portable pump 60 and NFC is establishedtherebetween, a command is executed that causes the portable pump 60 toget ready to receive the blood glucose data with no other preliminarybutton pushing required. In such fashion, the user can save time and canoperate the infusion pump system 10 with greater convenience using theNFC tag 46 s. Of course, many other types of commands for the portablepump 60 can be similarly automated using the NFC tags 46.

NFC tag 46 t is an example of a “blank” NFC tag that can be programmedor scripted and thereafter used to input a variety of commands to theportable pump 60. In some embodiments, the NFC tag 46 t can beprogrammed by the portable pump 60. In particular embodiments, the NFCtag 46 t can be programmed by another device that has NFC functionality(e.g., a smart phone, tablet computer, personal computer, and the like).In some embodiments, the NFC tag 46 t can be written to only once, andthereafter the NFC tag 46 t becomes a read-only NFC tag. In otherembodiments, the NFC tag 46 t can be written to, and re-written to,multiple times.

The programmable NFC tag 46 t can be utilized in a variety ofadvantageous ways. For instance, as described above a user of theinfusion pump system 10 can program the NFC tag 46 t to be associatedwith data corresponding to a certain type of food that the user consumes(e.g., a large apple having 30 carbs, etc.). In another category ofexamples, the user can configure the NFC tag 46 t to be used to initiatea particular operation by the portable pump 60. For example, whenchanging an infusion set 70 or a medicine cartridge, the user may firstwant to pause the portable pump 60. Accordingly, the programmable NFCtag 46 t can be programmed to pause the portable pump 60 if the portablepump 60 is in the run mode at the time that NFC is activated between theprogrammed NFC tag 46 t and the portable pump 60. Then, after changingthe infusion set 70 or the medicine cartridge, the user may desire toprime the infusion set 70 and begin normal operations of the infusionpump system 70. Therefore, the programmable NFC tag 46 t can beprogrammed to prime and thereafter start the portable pump 60 if theportable pump 60 is in the pause mode at the time that NFC is activatedbetween the programmed NFC tag 46 t and the portable pump 60. Inaccordance with the examples provided above, it can be appreciated thatprogrammable NFC tag 46 t provides a versatile and customizablefunctionality whereby users of infusion pump system 10 can enhance andsimplify interactions with the user control interface 62 and operationalcapabilities of the portable pump 60.

It should be understood from the description herein that a multitude ofother beneficial uses for the NFC tags are envisioned for use incombination with a medical infusion pump system. Here, the infusion pumpsystem 70 performs a variety of tasks or receives a various types ofuser entry associated with operating the infusion pump system 70. Anyone of these tasks or types of user entry associated with operating theinfusion pump system 70 can be communicated to the control circuitry ofthe portable pump 60 via the NFC circuit 40 using the corresponding NFCtag. For example, a NFC tag can be used to confirm a user input or pumpparameter setting. A NFC tag of this type can be used in conjunctionwith other NFC tags or input methods to eliminate the need for enteringa confirmation using the user interface 62. In another example, a NFCtag can be used to enter a task command to calibrate a glucose sensor.That is, for example, a NFC tag can trigger the portable pump 60 to usethe last blood glucose value entered by the user to calibrate acontinuous glucose monitor that is in communication with the infusionpump system 70. In another example, in some circumstances, such as whenthe infusion pump system 70 is used by a child or when the infusion pumpsystem 70 is used during sports activities, it may be desirable totemporarily deactivate the functionality of the buttons 63 a, 63 b, 64a, 64 b, and 64 c of the user interface 62. In such circumstances, NFCtags can be used to lock, and subsequently unlock, the buttons 63 a, 63b, 64 a, 64 b, and 64 c of the user interface 62. In still anotherexample, a NFC tag can be used to stop or pause the portable pump 60,such as when the user has disconnected the portable pump 60 from theinfusion set 70 to bathe. NFC tags can also be used to enter a task oruser command to change to a different basal pattern. Such changes may bebeneficial during weekends versus weekdays, during menses versus therest of the month, and so on. It should be understood that the exampleuses for NFC tags provided herein are non-limiting, and that other usesfor the NFC tags are also envisioned.

NFC tag 46 u is an example of another use for a “blank” NFC tag that canbe written to. In this example, the NFC tag 46 u is used to store theuser configuration settings for the user's portable pump 60. Using theNFC tag 46 u in this manner can provide a way to create a back-up copyof the user's configuration settings. Having a back-up copy of theuser's configuration settings can be advantageous in a variety ofcircumstances. For example, if the user's portable pump 60 is damagedsuch that a repair is necessitated, the NFC tag 46 u containing theuser's settings can be used to conveniently reprogram the repairedportable pump 60 by presenting the NFC tag 46 u to the repaired portablepump 60. Or, if the user's portable pump 60 is damaged beyond repair,the user's settings can be conveniently uploaded to a replacementportable pump 60 by presenting the NFC tag 46 u to the replacementportable pump 60. Or, if the user desires different settings fordifferent situations, such NFC tags comprising user settings canconveniently be used to change the settings.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the control circuitry of a medical device(e.g., a portable infusion pump in this embodiment) that includes NFCequipment can implement a process 300 of receiving commands from a NFCtag, and controlling the medical device in accordance with the commands.Such a process 300, for example, can be implemented by the controlcircuitry housed in the portable pump 60 of the infusion pump system 10(FIG. 1), and other embodiments of infusion pump systems provided herein(e.g., FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7).

In operation 310, the control circuitry of a medical device can receiveinput via wireless communication from a NFC tag. The input can beindicative of a task associated with using the medical device. A medicaldevice that can perform operation 310 is exemplified in FIG. 1, wherethe infusion pump system 10 includes a NFC circuit 40 that is inelectrical communication with the control circuitry of the infusion pumpsystem 10. As explained, the NFC circuitry 40 can function to send andreceive communications from the NFC tag 45 when NFC is activated byplacing the NFC tag 45 within the requisite proximity with the portablepump 60 such that NFC communications are activated.

In some embodiments, NFC tags can be scripted with executable code thatcan be transferred to the medical device's control circuitry via the NFCcircuit in communication with the control circuitry. In thoseembodiments, the control circuitry can execute the code as received fromthe NFC tag. In other embodiments, the NFC tag can communicate a uniqueidentifier, such as a serial number, to the control circuitry via theNFC circuit. In response to the receipt of such a unique identifier bythe control circuitry, the control circuitry can execute certain codedoperations that are associated with the particular unique identifierreceived.

An example of operation 310 is provided in FIG. 1, where the NFC tag 45is presented to the NFC circuit 40 of the portable pump 60. In response,the control circuitry of the portable pump 60 executed commandsindicative of an entry by the user of an intent to initiate a bolusdispensation to counteract the consumption of 60 grams of carbohydrates.

In operation 320, the control circuitry optionally provides a prompt viathe user interface display to confirm a change in operation of themedical device in response to said input from the near fieldcommunication tag. Such a prompt may be advantageously used to confirmthe user's intent to change the operation of the medical device beforethe control circuitry actually implements the change.

An example of operation 320 is provided in FIG. 1, where the controlcircuitry of the portable pump 60 generated the illustrated textualprompt on the display 65. The prompt provides a description of thepotential change in operation (“Consume 60 g of carbs? Press enter toinitiate a bolus of 4.0 U.”). By pressing button 64 c the user canconfirm the user's intent to implement a change in the operation of theinfusion pump system 10. Alternatively or additionally, other techniquescan be used to confirm the user's intent to change the operation of themedical device before the control circuitry actually implements thechange. For example, in some embodiments the user can be required topresent the same NFC tag to the NFC circuit multiple times within alimited period of time (e.g., two quick taps, three taps within a periodof two second, or the like) to confirm the user's intent. In particularembodiments, the user can be required to make contact (e.g., by tappingor otherwise bumping, or the like) between the pump device and the NFCtag, and such contact can be considered to be sufficient userconfirmation. In such embodiments, one or more accelerometers in thepump device may be used to detect the requisite contact(s). In otherembodiments, some types of tasks entered using a NFC tag require userconfirmation while other types of tasks entered using a NFC tag do notrequire user confirmation. In still other embodiments, a particular taskthat is entered using a NFC tag will require a user confirmation in somecircumstances, but not in other circumstances. An infusion pump systemmay be configurable to select between the use of these types ofalternative techniques for user confirmation. In some embodiments, suchvarious alternatives can be combined for use with various types of tasksassociated with a single pump system. In particular embodiments, theinfusion pump system can be configured to not require user confirmationfor some, or all, tasks and commands entered using NFC tags.

In operation 330, after receiving confirmation from the user toimplement the change associated with the input from the NFC tag, thecontrol circuitry can control the medical device to change the operationof the medical device in accordance with the user's confirmation of thechange. Again in regard to the example of FIG. 1, when the user confirmsby pressing button 64 c the change to the infusion pump system 10related to the user's consumption of 60 grams of carbohydrates, thecontrol circuitry can thereafter control the portable pump 60 to deliverthe corresponding bolus dispensation of insulin.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a schematically represented example portableinfusion pump system 400 can include a pump controller device 460 thatis equipped with a NFC circuit 463 for providing NFC capabilities. TheNFC circuit 463 can be used by the infusion pump system 400 tocommunicate with example NFC tags 410, 422, and 432. Certain items ofthe infusion pump system 400 are shown with dashed lines to indicatethat they are optional or alternative items, as explained below.

The pump controller device 460 includes a control module 461 that can bemade up of one or more components. In this embodiment, the controlmodule 461 is configured to communicate control or power signals to theother components of the infusion pump system 400, and to receive inputsand signals therefrom. In some embodiments, the control circuitry caninclude a main processor board that is in communication with a powersupply board. The control circuitry can include at least one processorthat coordinates the electrical communication to and from the controlmodule 461 and other components of the pump system 400. For example, theuser interface 462 of the pump controller device 460 can include inputcomponents and output components that are electrically connected to thecontrol circuitry of the control module 461. In some embodiments, thecontrol module 461 can receive input commands from a user's buttonselections (e.g., buttons as shown in FIG. 1, 5, 6, or 7), and therebycause the display device of the user interface 462 to output a number ofmenus or program screens that show particular settings and data (e.g.,review data that shows the medicine dispensing rate, the total amount ofmedicine dispensed in a given time period, the amount of medicinescheduled to be dispensed at a particular time or date, the approximateamount of medicine remaining the cartridge, the amount of battery liferemaining, or the like).

The processor of the control module 461 can be arranged on a mainprocessor circuit board of the control module 461 along with a number ofother electrical components such as computer-readable memory devices.The control circuitry can be programmable in that the user or aclinician may provide one or more instructions to adjust a number ofsettings for the operation of the infusion pump system 400. Suchsettings may be stored in the memory devices of the control module 461.Furthermore, the control module 461 may include one or more dedicatedmemory devices that store executable software instructions for theprocessor. The control module 461 may include other components, such assensors, that are electrically connected to the main processor board. Arechargeable battery pack (not shown) may provide electrical energy tothe control module 461, and to other components of the pump controllerdevice 460 (e.g., user interface 462, NFC circuit 463, and others).

The user interface 462 of the pump controller device 460 permits a userto monitor and control the operation of the pump controller device 460.For example, the user interface 462 can include a display device havingan active area that outputs information to a user, and buttons (e.g.,actuatable buttons as shown in FIG. 1, 5, 6, or 7 or touchscreen buttonsdefined on the display device) that the user can use to provide input.The display device can be used to communicate a number of settings ormenu options for the infusion pump system 400. The display may includean active area in which numerals, text, symbols, images, or acombination thereof can be displayed (refer, for example, to FIG. 1).For example, the user may press one or more buttons to shuffle through anumber of menus or program screens that show particular settings anddata (e.g., review data that shows the medicine dispensing rate, thetotal amount of medicine dispensed in a given time period, the amount ofmedicine scheduled to be dispensed at a particular time or date, theapproximate amount of medicine remaining in the cartridge, or the like).In some embodiments, the user can adjust the settings or otherwiseprogram the control module 461 via the user interface 462. For example,in embodiments of the infusion pump system 400 configured to dispenseinsulin, the user may press one or more of the buttons of the userinterface 462 to change the dispensation rate of insulin or to requestthat a bolus of insulin be dispensed immediately or at a scheduled,later time.

The pump controller device 460 also includes the NFC circuit 463 inelectrical communication with the control module 461, such that powerand signal data can be transferred between the NFC circuit 463 and thecontrol module 461. The NFC circuit 463 in this embodiment includes aNFC transceiver circuit that is coupled to a loop inductor (e.g., coil)that serves as an antenna for wirelessly communicating with external NFCtags (e.g., NFC tags 410, 422, and 432). The NFC circuit 463 can act asan interface to facilitate the transfer of data between the example NFCtags 410, 422, and 432 and the control module 461 using NFC protocols.The coil of the NFC circuit 463 inductively supplies electrical power tothe NFC tags 410, 422, and 432 by way of secondary coils located in theNFC tags 410, 422, and 432 themselves. The respective coils of the NFCcircuit 463 and the NFC tags 410, 422, and 432 can also wirelesslyexchange two-way data transmissions using the same inductive couplingbetween the coils.

The example NFC tags 410, 422, and 432 depict some additionaladvantageous ways of configuring NFC tags to be used in conjunction withthe infusion pump system 400. In general, NFC tags 410, 422, and 432include a coil and a microchip. The NFC tags 410, 422, and 432 act aspassive listening devices. But when the NFC circuit 463 is located inthe requisite proximity to the NFC tags 410, 422, or 432, the coil ofthe NFC tags 410, 422, or 432 inductively couples with a coil of the NFCcircuit 463. When the coils are inductively coupled, electrical power issupplied to the NFC tags 410, 422, or 432 and data can be exchangedbetween the NFC tags 410, 422, or 432 and the NFC circuit 463. In someembodiments, about a kilobyte of data or more can be stored in the NFCtags 410, 422, and 432 and transferred to the control module 461 via theNFC circuit 463.

The NFC tag 410 is an example of a compact and versatile NFC tag. Insome embodiments, NFC tag 410 is about the size of a quarter and isflexible. NFC tag 410 can have an adhesive coating on one surface. Insome embodiments, the NFC tag 410 can be incorporated intoconfigurations such as pendants, tiles, chips, stickers, and the like.

The NFC tag 422 is an example of a NFC tag that has been convenientlyincorporated onto a keychain 420. In one example use of such aconfiguration, the keychain 420 can be attached to a gym bag and the NFCtag 422 can be programmed like the NFC tags 46 m or 46 n of FIG. 2, thatindicate that the user is going to perform 30 minutes of light orstrenuous exercise respectively. Then, in conjunction with the user'sexercise, the user can simply present the NFC tag 422 on the keychain420 to the user's pump controller device 460 (e.g., tapping the pumpcontroller device 460 against the tag 432 or in proximity to the tag432) to enter a command corresponding to the performance of theexercise.

The NFC tag 432 in an example of a NFC tag that has been convenientlyincorporated onto a food package 430. In this example, the food package430 is a sandwich container like those commonly available from a vendingmachine or convenience store. As shown, the NFC tag 432 can be adheredto or otherwise incorporated directly on the exterior of the foodpackage 430. The NFC tag 432 can be preprogrammed with datacorresponding to the contents of the food package 430. For example, theNFC tag 432 can be programmed with the number of grams of carbohydratesin the sandwich contained in the food package 430. The user of theinfusion pump system 400 can conveniently present the NFC tag 432 to theNFC circuit 463 of the pump controller device 460 (e.g., tapping thepump controller device 460 against the tag 432 or in proximity to thetag 432) to enter a command corresponding to the consumption of thesandwich inside of the food package 430.

The pump controller device 460 can also optionally include anaccelerometer 464 in electrical communication with the control module461. In some embodiments, more than one accelerometer 464 can beoptionally included. Embodiments of the pump controller device 460 thatinclude the optional accelerometer 464 can utilize the functionality ofthe accelerometer 464 in conjunction with the NFC circuit 463. That is,the accelerometer 464 can operate in conjunction with the control module461 and the NFC circuit 463 to supplement the criteria for activating orcompleting communications between the NFC circuit 463 and the NFC tags410, 422, or 432. In other words, while in some embodimentscommunications between the NFC circuit 463 and the NFC tags 410, 422, or432 are activated solely based on the proximity therebetween, in otherembodiments a threshold acceleration, as determined by the accelerometer464, must also be detected. An objective for including this feature canbe to more clearly ascertain that the user intends to activate NFC whena NFC tag 410, 422, or 432 is within the required proximity with the NFCcircuit 464. That is, for example, by requiring the user to tap the pumpassembly 460 and the NFC tag 410, 422, or 432 together, the user'sintentions for activating NFC may be ascertained with a greater level ofconfidence.

This optional feature using the accelerometer 464 can function asfollows. When motion of the pump controller device 460 is detected byaccelerometer 464, a characteristic value of the detected motion can becompared by the control module 461 to a predetermined threshold movementvalue. If the characteristic value of the detected movement is greaterthan the threshold value, the NFC circuit 463 can potentially beactivated. But, if the characteristic value of the detected movement isnot greater than the threshold value, the NFC circuit 463 is notactivated (even if the NFC circuit 463 is within the required proximityof the NFC tags 410, 422, or 432 such that NFC communications can beperformed). Therefore, in some embodiments this feature operates toenable NFC when the following two conditions are simultaneously met, orare both met within an establish time interval: (i) a characteristicvalue of the detected movement (e.g., acceleration value) that isgreater than a threshold value is detected (indicating, for example, atap), and (ii) the NFC circuit 463 is in proximity with the NFC tags410, 422, or 432 such that communications therebetween using NFC canoccur.

Still referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments the pump controllerdevice 460 may also serve as the pump unit for the infusion pump system400, thereby dispensing medicine from the same housing that contains thecontrol module 461 and other components. In those particularembodiments, the pump controller device 460 can be optionally equippedwith an integral medicine reservoir and drive system 465 in electricalcommunication with the control module 461. For example, the portablepump 60 depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is an example of this typeof configuration. Such embodiments of the portable infusion pump system400 can employ a reusable pump apparatus (rather than a disposable pumpdevice as will be described below, for example, in connection with FIG.5). Therefore, in those embodiments, the infusion pump system 400 mayoptionally serve as a reusable device that houses the control module 461and the integral reservoir and pump drive system 465 within a singlehousing construct. In those circumstances, the pump controller device460 can be adapted to receive a medicine cartridge in the form of acarpule that is preloaded with insulin or another medicine. The pumpdrive system 465 can act upon the fluid cartridge to controllablydispense medicine through an infusion set and into the user's tissue orvasculature. In this embodiment, the user can wear the pump controllerdevice 460 on the user's skin under clothing or in the user's pocketwhile receiving the medicine dispensed through the infusion set. In someembodiments of the pump controller device 460 that include the optionalintegral reservoir and drive system 465, a refillable medicine reservoircan be incorporated in the pump controller device 460 as an alternativeto a medicine cartridge.

Still referring to FIG. 4, as an alternative to the integral medicinereservoir and drive system 465, the infusion pump system 400 can includea separate pump device 470 (including a reservoir and a drive system)that is in electrical communication with the pump controller device 460.In these embodiments, the separate pump device 470 can be configured asa disposable and non-reusable pump component while the controller device460 is configured to be reused with a series of the pump devices 470. Inthe depicted embodiment shown in FIG. 4, wireless communications areused between the separate pump device 470 and the pump controller device460, using a wireless communication module 476 in the pump controllerdevice 460. The wireless communications of the wireless communicationmodule 476 can utilize any of a variety of wireless communicationtechnologies that have a greater maximum working range than theaforementioned NFC equipment. For example the wireless communicationmodule 476 can employ Bluetooth, RF (radio frequency), infrared,ultrasonic, electromagnetic induction, and the like, and combinationsthereof. Optionally, in some embodiments, the wireless communications ofthe wireless communication module 476 can utilize NFC equipment.Alternatively, a releasable electrical connection can be used betweenthe separate pump device 470 and the pump controller device 460 so as toprovide hardwired electrical communication between the control module461 of the controller device 460 and the drive system of the pump device470. One such embodiment of a separate pump device 470 that is removablyattachable with the controller device 460 separate pump device 470 isdepicted, for example, in FIG. 5 (as described below).

In brief, in embodiments of the infusion pump system 400 that includethe separate pump device 470, the pump controller device 460 may beconfigured as a reusable component that provides electronics and a userinterface to control the operation of the infusion pump system 400, andthe separate pump device 470 can be a disposable component that isdiscarded after a single use. For example, the separate pump device 470can be a “one time use” component that is thrown away after the fluidcartridge therein is exhausted. Thereafter, the user can wirelesslyconnect or removably mount a new separate pump device 470 to thereusable pump controller device 460 for the dispensation of a new supplyof medicine from the new pump device 470. Accordingly, the user ispermitted to reuse the pump controller device 460 (which may includecomplex or valuable electronics) while disposing of the relativelylow-cost separate pump device 470 after each use. Such an infusion pumpsystem 400 can provide enhanced user safety as a new separate pumpdevice 470 is employed with each new fluid cartridge.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the pump controller device 460 can alsooptionally include an integral blood strip reader 466 mounted thereinand being in electrical communication with the control module 461. Insuch embodiments of the pump controller device 460, test strips (e.g.,blood test strips) containing a sample of the user's blood can beinserted into the blood strip reader 466 portion of the pump controllerdevice 460, to be tested for characteristics of the user's blood. Theresults of the analysis can be used to affect the dosage or schedule ofmedicine dispensations from the pump controller device 460 to the useras determined by the control module 461. As an alternative to or inaddition to the internal blood strip reader 466 housed in the pumpcontroller device 460, the pump controller device 460 can be configuredto communicate with an external blood glucose detection device 480, suchas a continuous glucose monitor or a handheld blood glucose meter. Forexample, the test strips (e.g., glucose test strips) containing a sampleof the user's blood can be inserted into external handheld blood glucosemeter 480, which then analyzes the characteristics of the user's bloodand communicates the information (via a wired or wireless connection) tothe pump controller device 460. In other embodiments, the user interface462 of the pump controller device 460 can be employed by the user tomanually enter the user's blood glucose information as reported on ascreen of a handheld blood glucose meter 480. In still otherembodiments, the infusion pump system 400 can include a continuousglucose monitor 480 (as an alternative to or in addition to theinternally housed blood strip reader 466) that can continuously monitorcharacteristics of the user's blood and communicate the information (viaa wired or wireless connection) to the pump controller device 460. Oneexample of this configuration is described below in connection with FIG.6.

Referring now to FIG. 5, some embodiments an infusion pump system 500equipped with NFC capabilities can include a removable pump device 100(shown in an exploded view) and a controller device 200 thatcommunicates with the pump device 100. The pump device 100 in thisembodiment includes a housing structure 110 that defines a cavity 116 inwhich a fluid cartridge 120 can be received. The pump device 100 canalso include a cap device 130 to retain the fluid cartridge 120 in thecavity 116 of the housing structure 110. The pump device 100 can includea drive system 140 that advances a plunger 125 in the fluid cartridge120 so as to dispense fluid 126 therefrom.

In some embodiments, the controller device 200 communicates with thepump device 100 to control the operation of the drive system 140. Whenthe controller device 200, the pump device 100 (including the cap device130), and the fluid cartridge 120 are assembled together, the user can(in some embodiments) conveniently wear the infusion pump system 500 onthe user's skin under clothing, in a pouch clipped at the waist (e.g.,similar to a cell phone pouch), or in the user's pocket while receivingthe fluid dispensed from the pump device 100. Optionally, the controllerdevice 200 may be configured as a reusable component that provideselectronics and a user interface to control the operation of the pumpdevice 100. In such circumstances, the pump device 100 can be adisposable component that is disposed of after a single use. Forexample, the pump device 100 can be a “one time use” component that isthrown away after the fluid cartridge 120 therein is exhausted.Thereafter, the user can removably attach a new pump device 100 (havinga new medicine cartridge 120) to the reusable controller device 200 forthe dispensation of fluid from a new fluid cartridge 120. Accordingly,the user is permitted to reuse the controller device 200 (which mayinclude complex or valuable electronics, as well as a rechargeablebattery) while disposing of the relatively low-cost pump device 100after each use. Such a pump system 500 can provide enhanced user safetyas a new pump device 100 (and drive system therein) is employed witheach new fluid cartridge 120.

Briefly, in use, the pump device 100 is configured to removably attachto the controller device 200 in a manner that provides a secure fitting,an overall compact size, and a reliable electrical connection that canbe resistant to water migration. For example, the controller device 200can include a housing 210 having a number of features that mate withcomplementary features of the pump housing 110. In such circumstances,the controller device 200 can removably attach with the pump device 100in a generally side-by-side configuration. The compact size permits theinfusion pump system 500 to be discrete and portable. Moreover, at leastone of the pump device 100 or the controller device 200 can include arelease member that facilitates an easy-to-use detachment andreplacement process.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pump device 100 can include an electricalconnector 118 (e.g., having conductive pads, pins, and the like) that isexposed to the controller device 200 and that mates with a complementaryelectrical connector (not shown) on the adjacent face of the controllerdevice 200. The electrical connection between the pump device 100 andthe controller device 200 provides the electrical communication betweenthe control circuitry housed in the controller device 200 and at least aportion of the drive system 140 or other components of the pump device100. For example, in some embodiments, the electrical connection betweenthe pump device 100 and the controller device 200 can permit thetransmission of electrical control signals to the pump device 100 andthe reception of feedback signals (e.g., sensor signals) from particularcomponents within the pump device 100. The electrical connection betweenthe pump device 100 and the controller device 200 may similarlyfacilitate transmission of one or more power signals for sharingelectrical power therebetween.

The pump device 100 may include a drive system 140 that is controlled bythe removable controller device 200. Accordingly, the drive system 140can accurately and incrementally dispense fluid from the pump device 100in a controlled manner. The drive system 140 may include a flexiblepiston rod 141 that is incrementally advanced toward the medicinecartridge 120 so as to dispense the medicine from the pump device 100.At least a portion of the drive system 140 is mounted, in thisembodiment, to the pump housing 110. In some embodiments, the drivesystem 140 may include a number of components, such as an electricallypowered actuator (e.g., reversible motor 142 or the like), a drive wheel143, a bearing 145, the flexible piston rod 141, and a plungerengagement device 144. In this embodiment, the reversible motor 142drives a gear system to cause the rotation of the drive wheel 143 thatis coupled with the bearing 145. The drive wheel 143 may include acentral aperture with an internal thread pattern, which mates with anexternal thread pattern on the flexible piston rod 141. The interface ofthe threaded portions of the drive wheel 143 and flexible piston rod 141may be used to transmit force from the drive wheel to the piston rod141. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the drive wheel 143 isthe driver while the flexible piston rod 141 is the driven member. Therotation of the drive wheel 143 can drive the flexible piston rod 141forward in a linear longitudinal direction to cause the plungerengagement device 144 to nudge the plunger 125 within the fluidcartridge 120 so as to dispense fluid 126 therefrom.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the controller device 200 can include a userinterface 220 that permits a user to monitor and control the operationof the pump device 100. In some embodiments, the user interface 220 caninclude a display device 222 and one or more user-selectable buttons(e.g., several buttons 224 are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5). Thedisplay device 222 can include an active area in which numerals, text,symbols, images, or a combination thereof can be displayed. For example,the display device 222 can be used to communicate a number of settingsor menu options for the infusion pump system 500. In this embodiment,the user may press one or more of the buttons 224 to shuffle through anumber of menus or program screens that show particular settings anddata (e.g., review data that shows the medicine dispensing rate, thetotal amount of medicine dispensed in a given time period, the amount ofmedicine scheduled to be dispensed at a particular time or date, theapproximate amount of medicine remaining in the cartridge 120, or thelike). In some embodiments, the user can adjust the settings orotherwise program the controller device 200 by pressing one or morebuttons 224 of the user interface 220. For example, in embodiments ofthe infusion pump system 500 configured to dispense insulin, the usermay press one or more of the buttons 224 to change the dispensation rateof insulin or to request that a bolus of insulin be dispensedimmediately or at a scheduled, later time. In some implementations, thedisplay device 222 may also be used to communicate information regardingremaining battery life.

The controller device 200 can also be equipped with an inspection lightdevice 230. The inspection light device 230 can provide the user with atool to illuminate and inspect a targeted location. For example, theinspection light device 230 can be directed at the infusion site on theuser's skin to verify that the infusion set is properly embedded, or theinspection light device 230 can be directed at the pump device 100 toilluminate the cavity 116 or other areas. The inspection light device230 can also be used to notify the user to an alert condition of thepump system 500. An activation of the inspection light device 230 canthereby provide a visual notification (as an alternative to, or inaddition to, the visual notification provided on the display device 222)to the user that attention to the infusion pump system 500 is warranted.

The control device 200 of the system 500 also includes a NFC circuit240. The NFC circuit 240 can wirelessly communicate with external NFCtags, such as example NFC tags 246 a, 246 b, 246 c, and 246 d. Asdescribed previously, such wireless communications using NFC technologycan enhance and simplify user interactions with the infusion pump system500. For instance, using NFC, the need for user activation of buttons224 for shuffling through menus may be reduced in some circumstances.FIG. 5 depicts an example scenario to illustrate this principle. In thisexample scenario, the user of infusion pump system 500 has consumed, orwill soon consume, about 50 grams of carbohydrates. As such, the userdesires to schedule or initiate a corresponding bolus dispensation ofinsulin to counteract the effects of the intake of 50 grams ofcarbohydrates. The bolus dispensation of insulin is intended to causethe user's blood glucose level to remain within a target range. Toschedule or initiate the desired bolus dispensation, the user firstpositions the controller device 200 containing the NFC circuit 240 inclose proximity with the NFC tag 246 c (which is programmed tocorrespond to 50 grams of carbohydrates). Wireless NFC communicationscan thereby be established between the NFC circuit 240 and the NFC tag246 c (as signified by wireless communication symbol 247). In someembodiments, the user is provided with a notification that NFCcommunications have been established. The notification can be visual,audible, tactile, and a combination thereof. In response to thecommunication from the NFC tag 246 c to the controller device 200, thecontroller device 200 provides a prompt to the user on the displaydevice 222. In this example, the prompt on the display device 222requests the user to confirm that the user desires to receive a 3.3 Unitdispensation of insulin because of the intake of 50 grams ofcarbohydrates. To confirm the dispensation of the suggested bolusamount, the user can simply press the button 224 directly below the word“Enter.” By this example, it can be appreciated that the incorporationof NFC technology in the infusion pump system 500 can enhance andsimplify user interactions with the infusion pump system 500, because toinitiate an appropriate bolus dosage of insulin the user simply had topresent a NFC tag 246 c to the NFC circuit 240 and then press button 224in response to the prompt on the display device 222.

Optionally, the control device 200 can further include at least oneaccelerometer 250. In some embodiments, the accelerometer 250 can beused as a criteria to activate or complete the NFC communications when acharacteristic value of a detected movement of the controller device 200is at or above the threshold level, as previously described above inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 4. In such circumstances, the controlcircuitry housed in the controller device 200 can be configured todetermine when the controller housing 210 is “bumped” against one of theNFC tags 246 a-d so as to activate the NFC transmission via the NFCcircuit 240.

Referring now to FIG. 6, some embodiments of an infusion pump system 600configured to communicate with NFC tags can also be configured towirelessly communicate with a continuous glucose monitor device 500. Forexample, in this embodiment, the system 600 can include a pump assembly660 used to supply insulin or another medication to a user via, forexample, an infusion set 70. The glucose monitoring device 500communicates with the pump assembly 660 for the purpose of supplyingdata indicative of a user's blood glucose level to a control circuitryincluded in the pump assembly 660. The infusion pump system 600 canutilize the data indicative of a user's blood glucose level in thecalculation of a bolus dosage.

In this embodiment, the pump assembly 660 includes a housing structure610 that defines a cavity in which a fluid cartridge 625 can bereceived. The pump assembly 660 also includes a cap device 630 to retainthe fluid cartridge 625 in the cavity of the housing structure 610. Thepump assembly 660 includes a drive system (e.g., described in moredetail in connection with FIG. 5) that advances a plunger in the fluidcartridge 625 so as to dispense fluid therefrom. In some embodiments,the dispensed fluid exits the fluid cartridge 625, passes through aflexible tube 72 of the infusion set 70 to a cannula housing 74. Thedispensed fluid can enter through the skin 20 via a cannula 76 attachedto the underside of the cannula housing 74.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the glucose monitoring device 500 can includea housing 552, a wireless communication device 554, and a sensor shaft556. The wireless communication device 554 can be contained within thehousing 552 and the sensor shaft 556 can extend outward from the housing552. In use, the sensor shaft 556 can penetrate the skin 20 of a user tomake measurements indicative of characteristics of the user's blood(e.g., the user's blood glucose level or the like). In response to themeasurements made by the sensor shaft 556, the glucose monitoring device500 can employ the wireless communication device 554 to transmit data tothe control circuitry of the pump assembly 660.

In some embodiments, the monitoring device 500 may include a circuitthat permits sensor signals (e.g., data from the sensor shaft 556) to becommunicated to the communication device 554. The communication device554 can transfer the collected data to the pump assembly 660 (e.g., bywireless communication to a communication device 647 arranged in thepump assembly 660). In some embodiments, the monitoring device 500 canemploy other methods of obtaining information indicative of a user'sblood characteristics and transferring that information to the infusionpump assembly 660. For example, an alternative monitoring device mayemploy a micropore system in which a laser porator creates tiny holes inthe uppermost layer of a user's skin, through which interstitial glucoseis measured using a patch. Alternatively, the monitoring device can useiontophoretic methods to non-invasively extract interstitial glucose formeasurement. In other examples, the monitoring device can includenon-invasive detection systems that employ near IR, ultrasound orspectroscopy, and particular embodiments of glucose-sensing contactlenses. Invasive methods involving optical means of measuring glucosecould also be added. In yet another example, the monitoring device caninclude an optical detection instrument that is inserted through theskin for measuring the user's glucose level.

Furthermore, it should be understood that in some embodiments, themonitoring device 500 can be in communication with the pump assembly 660via a wired connection. In other embodiments of the pump system 600,test strips (e.g., blood test strips) containing a sample of the user'sblood can be inserted into a strip reader portion of the pump assembly660 to be tested for characteristics of the user's blood. Alternatively,the test strips (e.g., glucose test strips) containing a sample of theuser's blood can be inserted into a glucose meter device (not shown inFIG. 6), which then analyzes the characteristics of the user's blood andcommunicates the information (via a wired or wireless connection) to thepump assembly 660. In still other embodiments, characteristics of theuser's blood glucose information can be entered directly into the pumpassembly 660 via a user interface 620 on the pump assembly 660.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the pump assembly 660 includes the userinterface 620 that permits a user to monitor the operation of the pumpassembly 660. In some embodiments, the user interface 620 includes adisplay 622 and one or more user-selectable buttons (e.g., four buttons624 a, 624 b, 624 c, and 624 d in this embodiment, a differentarrangement of buttons in other embodiments, or touchscreen buttons instill other embodiments). The display 622 may include an active area inwhich numerals, text, symbols, images, or a combination thereof can bedisplayed. For example, the display 622 may be used to communicate anumber of status indicators, alarms, settings, and/or menu options forthe infusion pump system 600. In some embodiments, the display 622 canindicate inform the user of the amount of a suggested bolus dosage, theuser's blood glucose level, an indication that the user's blood glucoselevel is rising or falling, an indication that the bolus dosagesuggestion includes a correction for the rate of change in the user'sblood glucose level, and the like.

In some embodiments, the user may press one or more of the buttons 624a, 624 b, 624 c, and 624 d to shuffle through a number of menus orprogram screens that show particular status indicators, settings, and/ordata (e.g., review data that shows the medicine dispensing rate, theamount of medicine delivered during the last bolus, the delivery time ofthe last bolus, the total amount of medicine dispensed in a given timeperiod, the amount of medicine scheduled to be dispensed at a particulartime or date, the approximate amount of medicine remaining in thecartridge 625, or the like). In some embodiments, the user can adjustthe settings or otherwise program the pump assembly 660 by pressing oneor more buttons 624 a, 624 b, 624 c, and 624 d of the user interface620. For example, in embodiments of the infusion pump system 600configured to dispense insulin, the user may press one or more of thebuttons 624 a, 624 b, 624 c, and 624 d to change the dispensation rateof insulin or to request that a bolus of insulin be dispensedimmediately or at a scheduled, later time. In another example, the usermay use the buttons 624 a-d to manually input information such as theuser's current blood glucose level (e.g., as measured by an externalblood glucose meter), the current rate of change in the user's bloodglucose level, or the like into the pump system 600.

The pump assembly 660 also includes a NFC circuit 640. The NFC circuit640 can wirelessly communicate with external NFC tags, such as exampleNFC tags 646 a, 646 b, 646 c, and 646 d. As described previously, suchwireless communications using NFC technology can enhance and simplifyuser interactions with the infusion pump system 600. For instance, usingNFC, the need for user activation of buttons 624 a-d for shufflingthrough menus may be reduced in some circumstances. FIG. 6 depicts anexample scenario to illustrate this operational concept. In this examplescenario, the user of infusion pump system 600 has consumed, or willsoon consume, about 20 grams of carbohydrates. As such, the user desiresto initiate a corresponding bolus dispensation of insulin to counteractthe effects of the intake of 20 grams of carbohydrates. The bolusdispensation of insulin is intended to cause the user's blood glucoselevel to remain within a target range. To initiate the desired bolusdispensation, the user first positions the pump assembly 660 containingthe NFC circuit 640 in close proximity with the NFC tag 646 b (which isprogrammed to correspond to 20 grams of carbohydrates). Wireless NFCcommunications can thereby be established between the NFC circuit 640and the NFC tag 646 b (as signified by wireless communication symbol641). In some embodiments, the user is provided with a notification thatNFC communications have been established. The notification can bevisual, audible, tactile, and a combination thereof. In someembodiments, in response to the communication from the NFC tag 646 b tothe pump assembly 660, the pump assembly 660 provides a prompt to theuser on the display device 622. In this example, the prompt on thedisplay device 622 requests the user to confirm that the user desires toreceive a 1.3 unit dispensation of insulin because of the intake of 20grams of carbohydrates. To confirm the dispensation of the suggestedbolus amount, the user can simply press the button 624 d directly belowthe word “Enter.” By this example, it can be appreciated that theincorporation of NFC technology in the infusion pump system 600 canenhance and simplify user interactions with the infusion pump system600, because to initiate an appropriate bolus dosage of insulin the usersimply had to present a NFC tag 646 b to the NFC circuit 640 and thenpress button 624 d in response to the prompt on the display device 622.

Optionally, the pump assembly 660 can further include at least oneaccelerometer 650. In some embodiments, the accelerometer 650 can beused to activate or complete the NFC communications when acharacteristic value of a detected movement of the pump assembly 660 isat or above the threshold level, as previously described above inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 4. In such circumstances, the controlcircuitry housed in the pump assembly 660 be configured to determinewhen the housing 610 is “bumped” against one of the NFC tags 646 a-d soas to activate the NFC transmission via the NFC circuit 640.

Referring now to FIG. 7, some embodiments of an infusion pump system 700an can include an ancillary remote control device 770 configured tocommunicate with NFC tags 746 and with a pump assembly 760. In thisexample embodiment, the remote control device 770 is a smartphone. Inother embodiments, the remote control device 770 can be other types ofdevices such as a tablet computer, laptop computer, a PDA, a customremote device manufactured specifically for interfacing with the pumpassembly 760, and the like. In this example embodiment, the pumpassembly 760 is a single-piece pump unit (similar to the embodimentdescribed above in connection with FIG. 1). In other embodiments of theinfusion pump system 700, the pump assembly 760 can be configured as atwo-piece pump assembly such as the example depicted in FIG. 5.

In general, the remote control device 770 includes a control system forcontrolling the infusion pump assembly 760, including user interfacecomponents such as touchscreen user interface 775 for allowing a user toreceive and provide instructions relative to the infusion pump assembly760. The remote control device 770 also includes a wireless interface757 for communicating with a wireless interface 752 of the pump assembly760. The wireless interfaces 752 and 757 for communicating between thepump assembly 760 and the remote control device 770 can utilize any of avariety of wireless communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, WiFi,RF, infrared, ultrasonic, electromagnetic induction, NFC, orcombinations thereof. The pump assembly 760 can be used to dispenseinsulin or another medication to a user via, for example, an infusionset 70 as described in regard to other infusion pump system embodimentsherein.

In this embodiment, the pump assembly 760 includes a housing structure710 that defines a cavity in which a fluid cartridge (e.g., an insulincarpule or other medicine cartridge) can be received. The pump assembly760 also includes a cap device 730 to retain the fluid cartridge in thecavity of the housing structure 710. The pump assembly 760 includes adrive system (e.g., described in more detail in connection with FIG. 5)that advances a plunger in the fluid cartridge so as to dispense fluidtherefrom. In some embodiments, the dispensed fluid exits the fluidcartridge, passes through a flexible tube 72 of the infusion set 70 to acannula housing 74. The dispensed fluid can enter through the skin 20via a cannula 76 attached to the underside of the cannula housing 74.

In some embodiments, the infusion pump system 700 can be configured tosupply scheduled basal dosages of insulin (or another medication) alongwith user-selected bolus dosages. The basal delivery rate can beselected to maintain a user's blood glucose level in a targeted rangeduring normal activity when the user is not consuming food items. Theuser-selected bolus deliveries may provide substantially larger amountsof insulin in particular circumstances, such as when the user consumesfood items, when the user's blood glucose level increases beyond a safelimit, when the user's blood glucose level rises faster than a thresholdrate, or other scenarios in which the blood glucose level requires asignificant correction. In some embodiments, the infusion pump system700 may modify a bolus delivery (e.g., a bolus delivery after the userconsumes a meal) in response to certain circumstances. For example, theinfusion pump system 700 may decrease or otherwise modify a post-mealbolus delivery based on a rapidly falling blood glucose level, a currentblood glucose level that is below a threshold limit, a detection of ahigh level of physical activity, or the like.

Still referring to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the pump assembly 760includes the user interface 762 that permits a user to monitor theoperation of the pump assembly 760. In some embodiments, the userinterface 762 includes a display 765 and one or more user-selectablebuttons (e.g., five buttons 764 a, 764 b, 764 c, 763 a, and 763 b inthis embodiment). The display 765 may include an active area in whichnumerals, text, symbols, images, or a combination thereof can bedisplayed. For example, the display 765 may be used to communicate anumber of status indicators, alarms, settings, and/or menu options forthe infusion pump system 700. In some embodiments, the display 765 canindicate inform the user of the amount of a suggested bolus dosage, theuser's blood glucose level, an indication that the user's blood glucoselevel is rising or falling, an indication that the bolus dosagesuggestion includes a correction for the rate of change in the user'sblood glucose level, and the like.

In some embodiments, the user may press one or more of the buttons 764a, 764 b, 764 c, 763 a, and 763 b to shuffle through a number of menusor program screens that show particular status indicators, settings,and/or data (e.g., review data that shows the medicine dispensing rate,the amount of medicine delivered during the last bolus, the deliverytime of the last bolus, the total amount of medicine dispensed in agiven time period, the amount of medicine scheduled to be dispensed at aparticular time or date, the approximate amount of medicine remaining inthe cartridge, or the like). In some embodiments, the user can adjustthe settings or otherwise program the pump assembly 760 by pressing oneor more buttons 764 a, 764 b, 764 c, 763 a, and 763 b of the userinterface 762. For example, in embodiments of the infusion pump system700 configured to dispense insulin, the user may press one or more ofthe buttons 764 a, 764 b, 764 c, 763 a, and 763 b to change thedispensation rate of insulin or to request that a bolus of insulin bedispensed immediately or at a scheduled, later time. In another example,the user may use the buttons 764 a, 764 b, 764 c, 763 a, and 763 b tomanually input information such as the user's current blood glucoselevel (e.g., as measured by an external blood glucose meter), thecurrent rate of change in the user's blood glucose level, or the likeinto the pump system 700.

As an alternative to, or in addition to, using user interface 762 tocontrol the pump assembly 760, the remote control device 770 can be usedto control the pump assembly 760 in this embodiment. Such an arrangementmay be convenient, for example, if the user is wearing the pump assembly760 in a concealed location under clothing. The remote control device770 can wirelessly communicate with the pump assembly 760 via thewireless interfaces 757 and 752. The wireless communications between thepump assembly 760 and the remote control device 770 can utilize any of avariety of wireless communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, WiFi,RF, infrared, ultrasonic, electromagnetic induction, NFC, and the like,and combinations thereof. Using remote control device 770, a user canenter and receive information whereby the user can control the pumpassembly 760 using the touchscreen user interface 775 of the remotecontrol device 770 as an alternative to, or in addition to, using theuser interface 762 of the pump assembly 760. In some alternativeembodiments, the pump assembly 760 may be configured without a userinterface display 765 or other user interface components for purposes ofreducing manufacturing costs, in which case the user interface 775 ofthe remote control device 770 would serve as the user interface for thesystem 700.

The remote control device 770 also includes a NFC circuit 745. The NFCcircuit 745 can wirelessly communicate with external NFC tags, such asthe example NFC tag 746. As described previously, such wirelesscommunications using NFC technology can enhance and simplify userinteractions with the infusion pump system 700. For instance, using NFC,the need for user activation of buttons 764 a, 764 b, 764 c, 763 a, and763 b, or for using user the touchscreen user interface 775, forshuffling through menus may be reduced in some circumstances. FIG. 7depicts an example scenario to illustrate this principle. In thisexample scenario, the user of infusion pump system 700 has consumed, orwill soon consume, about 60 grams of carbohydrates by eating a piece ofpie. As such, the user desires to initiate a corresponding bolusdispensation of insulin to counteract the effects of the intake of 60grams of carbohydrates. The bolus dispensation of insulin is intended tocause the user's blood glucose level to remain within a target range. Toinitiate the desired bolus dispensation, the user first positions theremote control device 770 containing the NFC circuit 745 in closeproximity with the NFC tag 746 (which is programmed to correspond to 60grams of carbohydrates). Wireless NFC communications can thereby beestablished between the NFC circuit 745 and the NFC tag 746 (assignified by wireless communication symbol 741). In some embodiments,the user is provided with a notification that NFC communications havebeen established. The notification can be visual, audible, tactile, anda combination thereof.

In response to the communication from the NFC tag 746 to the remotecontrol device 770, the remote control device 770 can provide a promptto the user on the touchscreen user interface 775. In this example, theprompt on the touchscreen user interface 775 requests the user toconfirm whether the user desires to receive a 4.0 Unit dispensation ofinsulin because of the intake of 60 grams of carbohydrates. To confirmthe dispensation of the suggested bolus amount, the user can simplytouch the portion of the touchscreen user interface 775 that is labeled“YES.” Or, the user can decline the dispensation of the suggested bolusamount by touching the portion of the touchscreen user interface 775that is labeled “NO.” By this example, it can be appreciated that theincorporation of NFC technology in the infusion pump system 700 canenhance and simplify user interactions with the infusion pump system700, because to initiate an appropriate bolus dosage of insulin the usersimply had to present a NFC tag 746 to the NFC circuit 745 of the remotecontrol device 770 and then touch the portion of the touchscreen userinterface 775 that is labeled “YES.”

Optionally, the remote control device 770 can further include at leastone accelerometer 755. In some embodiments, the accelerometer 755 can beused to activate the NFC communications when a characteristic value of adetected movement of the remote control device 770 is at or above thethreshold level, as previously described above in connection with FIGS.1 and 4. In such circumstances, the control circuitry housed in remotecontrol device 770 be configured to determine when the remote controldevice 770 is “bumped” against one of the NFC tags 746 so as to activatethe NFC transmission via the NFC circuit 745.

While the infusion pump system 700 includes the remote control device770 that includes NFC circuit 745, in some embodiments the pump assembly760 can also include a NFC circuit 740. Therefore, the user canalternatively present NFC tags to the pump assembly 760 to inputinformation to the pump assembly 760. Similarly, the pump assembly 760can optionally include at least one accelerometer 750 that can be usedto activate the NFC communications when a characteristic value of adetected movement of the pump assembly 760 is at or above the thresholdlevel, as previously described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 4.In such circumstances, the control circuitry housed in pump assembly 760be configured to determine when the pump assembly 760 is “bumped”against one of the NFC tags 746 so as to activate the NFC transmissionvia the NFC circuit 740.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical infusion pump system, comprising: aplurality of near field communication (NFC) tags, each NFC tag of theplurality of NFC tags being encased in an individual housing, each NFCtag of the plurality of NFC tags storing respective information thatcorresponds to one or more actions to be initiated by a portableinfusion pump in response to a receipt by the portable infusion pump ofthe respective information, at least one NFC tag of the plurality of NFCtags storing information comprising a value of carbohydrates; and theportable infusion pump comprising: a portable housing defining a spaceto receive a medicine; a pump drive system to dispense medicine from theportable housing when the medicine is received in the space; controlcircuitry that communicates control signals to the pump drive system tocontrol dispensation of the medicine from the portable housing when themedicine is received in the space; and a NFC circuit electricallyconnected with the control circuitry to communicate to the controlcircuitry, wherein the NFC circuit is configured to wirelessly receivethe respective information stored on each NFC tag of the plurality ofNFC tags, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to initiateone or more particular actions of the portable infusion pump thatcorrespond to the respective information in response to receiving therespective information, wherein the one or more particular actions ofthe portable infusion pump comprise calculating a dispensation of themedicine, wherein said calculating the dispensation of the medicine isperformed using the value of carbohydrates, and wherein the dispensationcorrelates to the value of carbohydrates; wherein each individualhousing encases a single NFC tag and is physically separate from theportable infusion pump and the medicine.
 2. The medical infusion pumpsystem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of NFC tags includes a firstNFC tag and a second NFC tag, wherein the first NFC tag stores firstinformation, and wherein the second NFC tag stores second informationthat is different than the first information.
 3. The medical infusionpump system of claim 2, wherein the portable infusion pump is configuredsuch that when the NFC circuit receives the first information thecontrol circuitry initiates one or more first actions that correspond tothe first information, and wherein when the NFC circuit receives thesecond information the control circuitry initiates one or more secondactions that correspond to the second information and that are differentthan the one or more first actions.
 4. The medical infusion pump systemof claim 1, wherein the respective information stored on at least oneNFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags comprises a unique identifier, andwherein, in response to the NFC circuit receiving the unique identifier,the control circuitry initiates actions of the portable infusion pumpthat correspond to the unique identifier.
 5. The medical infusion pumpsystem of claim 4, wherein the actions of the portable infusion pumpthat correspond to the unique identifier comprise calculating a bolusdispensation of the medicine.
 6. The medical infusion pump system ofclaim 1, further comprising an accelerometer electrically connected tothe control circuitry, wherein the accelerometer is configured to detectacceleration movement of the portable housing and to communicate thedetected movement to the control circuitry, and wherein the controlcircuitry is configured to compare a characteristic value of thedetected movement to a threshold movement value.
 7. The medical infusionpump system of claim 6, wherein the control circuitry is configured toactivate the NFC circuit, based on the comparison of the characteristicvalue to the threshold movement value, to wirelessly receive informationfrom an NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags.
 8. The medical infusionpump system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is housed in acontroller housing that is removably attachable to the portable housing.9. The medical infusion pump system of claim 1, further comprising aremote control device that is separate from the portable housing,wherein the remote control device is configured to wirelesslycommunicate with a wireless communication device connected to thecontrol circuitry, and wherein the remote control device includes asecond NFC circuit that is configured to wirelessly receive therespective information stored on each NFC tag of the plurality of NFCtags.
 10. The medical infusion pump system of claim 1, wherein at leastone NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags includes information that isindicative of one or more settings of the portable infusion pump. 11.The medical infusion pump system of claim 1, wherein at least one NFCtag of the plurality of NFC tags includes information that is indicativeof physical exertion.
 12. The medical infusion pump system of claim 1,wherein at least one NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags includesinformation that automates an entry of a blood glucose reading.
 13. Themedical infusion pump system of claim 1, wherein at least one NFC tag ofthe plurality of NFC tags is programmable such that the at least one NFCtag can be programmed to store information corresponding to a desiredoperation of the portable infusion pump.
 14. A portable infusion pumpsystem, comprising: a plurality of near field communication (NFC) tags,each NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags being encased in an individualhousing, each NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags storing respectiveinformation, wherein each NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags canwirelessly transmit the respective information to a device whenpositioned within an NFC proximity range with the device, at least oneNFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags storing information comprising avalue of carbohydrates; a pump device including a pump housing thatdefines a space to receive a medicine, and a drive system positioned inthe pump housing to dispense the medicine from the pump device when themedicine is received in the space of the pump housing; and a controllerdevice removably attachable to the pump housing so as to electricallyconnect with the pump device, wherein the controller device housescontrol circuitry configured to communicate control signals to the drivesystem positioned in the pump housing to control dispensation of themedicine from the pump device, and wherein the controller device housesan NFC circuit electrically connected with the control circuitry tocommunicate to the control circuitry, wherein the NFC circuit isconfigured to wirelessly receive the respective information stored oneach NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags, and wherein the controlcircuitry is configured to initiate one or more particular actions thatcorrespond to the respective information in response to receiving therespective information, wherein the one or more particular actions ofthe portable infusion pump comprise calculating a dispensation of themedicine, wherein said calculating the dispensation of the medicine isperformed using the value of carbohydrates, and wherein the dispensationcorrelates to the value of carbohydrates; wherein each individualhousing encases a single NFC tag and is physically separate from theportable infusion pump and the medicine.
 15. The portable infusion pumpsystem of claim 14, wherein the respective information stored on atleast one NFC tag of the plurality of NFC tags comprises a uniqueidentifier, and wherein, in response to the NFC circuit receiving theunique identifier, the control circuitry initiates actions of theportable infusion pump that correspond to the unique identifier.
 16. Theportable infusion pump system of claim 15, wherein the actions of theportable infusion pump that correspond to the unique identifier comprisecalculating a bolus dispensation of the medicine.
 17. The portableinfusion pump system of claim 14, further comprising an accelerometerelectrically connected to the control circuitry, wherein theaccelerometer is configured to detect acceleration movement of theportable housing and to communicate the detected movement to the controlcircuitry, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to compare acharacteristic value of the detected movement to a threshold movementvalue.
 18. The portable infusion pump system of claim 17, wherein thecontrol circuitry is configured to activate the NFC circuit, based onthe comparison of the characteristic value to the threshold movementvalue, to wirelessly receive information from an NFC tag of theplurality of NFC tags.
 19. The portable infusion pump system of claim14, wherein the plurality of NFC tags includes a first NFC tag and asecond NFC tag, wherein the first NFC tag stores first information, andwherein the second NFC tag stores second information that is differentthan the first information.
 20. The portable infusion pump system ofclaim 14, wherein the pump device is a one-time-use device equipped withone or more structures configured to prevent reuse of the pump device,wherein the pump housing includes an interior wall that defines a spaceto slidably receives an outer wall of a pre-filled medicine cartridgeinsertable through an opening defined by the pump housing, wherein thepump device further comprises a cap device that directly engages withthe pump housing to enclose the pre-filled medicine cartridge in thepump housing when the pre-filled medicine cartridge is received in thespace of the pump housing, and wherein the controller device is areusable controller device including: a controller housing that isremovably attachable to the pump housing in a fixed relationship; one ormore electrical contacts disposed on the controller housing, theelectrical contacts of the controller device being engageable withcorresponding electrical contacts of the pump device when removablyattached.